The 96 runners for the 2020 Star Sports/ARC English Derby will almost certainly be selected by a panel of experts and the Irish Derby winner will be racing for an additional £50K bonus writes Floyd Amphlett.
Nottingham broke with recent tradition last year when restricted the Derby field to 192 selected runners. Although oversubscribed, the scheme was a big success with all the reserves ultimately having the opportunity to take part without a superfluous extra round.
This year, that task will be harder due to the contracted competition which will be staged over 30 days including five Saturdays and a Friday (October 2nd-31st).
Track spokesman Nathan Corden said: “There has been plenty of discussion of whether to qualify dogs on times or to use a panel to choose the 96 runners. The general consensus among the trainers that I have spoken to is that they would prefer the dogs to be decided by a panel. Although no final decision has yet been made, I would imagine that we will go down that route.
“As far as the £50K bonus for winning both the Irish and English Derbys, I thought Ben (Keith, Star Sports) had a perfect opportunity, given the change of format and reduction in numbers, to opt out. But it is typical of him that he decided to keep it going.
“It would have to be a serious consideration for the Irish Derby winner.”
Final prize money: Winner £50,000 Second £10,000, Third £5,000, Fourth £4,000, Fifth £3,000, Sixth £2,500.
